#comicsreview — Public Fediverse posts

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #12 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Looking back at the X-Men 2099 series of the 1990s, so much has developed during the first eleven issues released from 1993 to 1994. When I first read issue #1 in 1993, I found the futuristic X-Men really intriguing to follow and there was the expectation that the team led by Xi’an would somehow grow and make breakthroughs happen in 2099’s America. Surprisingly, members of the team got separated from each other – such as losing Metalhead to the Freakshow – and Xi’an himself changed for the worse and eventually left the team. Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire (the weak and unsure newcomer who joined the futuristic X-Men) himself changed radically becoming unhinged and he has gotten really close with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and triggered his emotions).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #12, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins in the black market mall with Luna struggling to separate Skullfire and Junkpile from each other. Skullfire hates Junkpile whom he holds responsible for killing his friend Serpentina (the one X-Men member who welcomed him at their sanctuary). Junkpile blames Skullfire and his teammates for causing him some serious grief in Las Vegas. Luna tells them both to shut up or she would do something on both of them.

Moments later, the three of them are accused by the mall security for violating the market regulations. An armed mall security officer points his weapon at them accusing them of willful destruction of market property. The looks of Junkpile, Luna and Skullfire, however, scared him and convinced him to move away. Luna then reveals to Skullfire that she encountered Junkpile outside of Las Vegas shortly after the violent encounter with the X-Men. The three of them proceeded to a café to have a civil talk. Skullfire asks Luna about the Theater of Pain…

Quality

Wow! The Moore-Lim team loaded this comic book with immense details that established the true force of opposition that awaits the X-Men. The story reveals to readers the Theater of Pain, its demonic leader Brimstone Love and what the theater’s purpose truly is. Brimstone Love and the theater were first revealed at the very end of issue #3 and this comic book offers readers a close look at them complete with very intriguing details that turned out to be worth discovering. That said, it was clear that John Francis Moore designed the Theater of Pain to be not just a planned force of evil the X-Men must face but also an actual threat to many living in 2099’s America. The Theater of Pain has a very sinister agenda and its operations involves the accumulating human misery which is a frightening concept on its own.

While Luna’s history and connection with the Theater of Pain is emphasized, Xi’an’s search for the Driver makes a lot more sense here as the former X-Men leader (now sinister and spiritually lost) communicates again with someone from his past. That said, the plot really thickened a lot in this comic book and that alone makes it engaging to follow.

As this issue follows Skullfire, Luna, Junkpile and Xi’an – plus a quick look at former X-Men member Metalhead now spending time with the Freakshow – the tone of the tale turned dark and gritty which I think was intentionally done by the creators as the Theater of Pain was strongly emphasized. That said, this is indeed inspired work.

Conclusion

With a dark tale and an established force of evil rising in the horizon, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) can be described as an inspired turn of events for the monthly series as a whole. At this stage, the direction of the series really started to take shape. It is also a lively reminder that the mutants struggling in 2099 have the wilderness and its violent elements as the least of their worries. The Theater of Pain itself is a reminder about sinister yet unseen forces that are operating while lots of people remain unaware of them (note: think about the World Economic Forum and what its core organization really do behind closed doors as time passes). Lastly, the twisted developments of Skullfire and Xi’an’s respective personalities will keep you in suspense as to how the futuristic X-Men can survive without them.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

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A Look Back at Robin #1 (1991)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1991 to explore a part of the DC Comics shared universe through one very notable comic book featuring Batman’s sidekick Robin.

For decades, the Caped Crusader Batman (who is business tycoon Bruce Wayne during the day) had Robin as his skilled teenage partner fighting countless waves of criminals in many comic books published through the decades. The most notable fact about Robin is that there are three different characters who took the role as Batman’s sidekick…Dick Grayson (who later joined the Teen Titans and became Nightwing), Jason Todd (who died as a result of a warehouse explosion set up by the Joker who beat him mercilessly) and Tim Drake. Behind the scenes at DC Comics, a decision was made to publish a comic book mini-series featuring Tim Drake Robin.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Robin #1, published in 1991 by DC Comics with a story written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by the late Tom Lyle.

Early story

The story begins inside the Batcave. Tim Drake is still adjusting in his new role as Robin and right in front of Bruce Wayne (wearing his Batman costume), he feels uneasy deep inside even though he got the role after wanting it so badly. He just could not tell him how much it scares him.

Even though Tim admits he feels unsure and needs more time, Bruce tells him he is ready to be his partner. Still the new Boy Wonder says he is not sure if he has what it takes. Bruce reminds Tim that he has proven to be smart after figuring out correctly his secret identity as Batman. He tells him that he needs to develop himself more to gain his edge.

Meanwhile in Japan, the deadly assassin Lady Shiva meets the martial artist Koroshi and discovers he has been paralyzed and limited on a wheelchair…

Quality

As a tale strongly focused on Robin, this comic book has a fine blend of action, discovery, intrigue and even elements of culture clash. It gradually dramatizes Tim Drake’s development into Robin showing moments of trial-and-error, getting himself educated far away from home, experiencing humiliation and overcoming the odds while having limitations.

The script written by Chuck Dixon is not limited to presenting how the newest Robin came to be. I enjoyed how Dixon crafted Tim Drake’s private talks with Batman and the butler Alfred Pennyworth. Each interaction with the established characters were rich in details and there is that sense of the new Robin looking up to Batman as his mentor and to Alfred as a guidance councilor.

By going all the way to France to learn from an Asian master, Tim Drake’s journey has some similarities with how Bruce Wayne developed himself into becoming Batman. It should be noted that this tale took place sometime after the death of his predecessor Jason Todd (beaten by the Joker who eventually became the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations) and it is indeed a part of Batman becoming more stable after overcoming the trauma of Todd’s demise.

For those who still find Robin as an unbelievable teenage crime fighter simply because of his youth, there are young gangsters in this tale that symbolically are the opposites of Batman’s sidekick. This was Chuck Dixon’s way of reminding people that there are indeed teenage criminals or youth gangs that exist around the world. Such young criminals or abusers still exist to this day and Robin’s status as a teenage crime fighter is clearly justified.

As a standalone tale, this comic book is pretty good and there is clear coordination between Chuck Dixon and Tom Lyle who did a fine job visualizing the script. Lyle’s art has this fine balance visualizing character development scenes, transition scenes and dynamic action. Historically, Lyle went on to draw the Robin II and Robin III mini-series for DC Comics before moving to Marvel Comics to work on Spider-Man comic books. In this very comic book, you can see how talented Lyle really was on illustrations.

Conclusion

Even though I am not a fan of Robin, I can say that the Dixon-Lyle duo succeeded in making Robin #1 (1991) a really entertaining and engaging read. It definitely is a strong start to a Robin mini-series and also serves as a defining moment for Batman’s sidekick who also got modernized at the time.

Overall, Robin #1 (1991) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco